Reader interview: 'Winds of War' offers insight into Holocaust

Editor's note: This week's Page Turner reader interview is with Fran Adler, a former copy editor for The News-Sentinel.

“I am currently reading 'The Winds of War,' by Herman Wouk. My husband recommended it: We are taking a course on the Holocaust and doing a family history relative to the Holocaust. This book is a great fictional perspective but also a great depiction of the times leading up to World War II — and in World War II. It's a little slow getting into. Wouk's 'War and Remembrance' is next.

“I'm about to read 'And the Mountains Echoed.' It's by Khaled Hosseini. I loved his first two books, 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' and 'The Kite Runner.' They were poignant and heartbreaking. I'll be reading this one on my Kindle. I love it! It's so easily portable and has access to so many titles.

“I can change the size of type, and it's easy to hold when I'm reading in bed. And it's so easy to check out books from the library. I go on a waiting list, then have three weeks to read the book. It's all electronic — and so easy, but you have to have an app.

“For my book club, I read 'Thunder Dog.' It's by Michael Hingson, with Susy Flory, and is nonfiction. This book is very good.

“It's the story of a blind man and his dog who were in the World Trade Center when it was hit (on 9/11). He made it down all 78 floors with his guide dog.

“It also makes a strong case for people who are blind not being allowed many things — like being on a plane without their guide dogs. The author says it should be acknowledged that blind people can be far more independent than society allows them to be.

“All-time favorites? 'Jane Eyre.' I loved it and have read it several times. I loved 'Gone with the Wind,' which I read in high school. And how could I not include 'To Kill a Mockingbird'? And I think it's the best movie made from a book ever. Pat Conroy's books have been very good reading, too — 'Beach Music,' 'The Prince of Tides,' 'South of Broad.'”